Loading...
Loading

Barcelona - Palau Güell (Closed until January 2007)

In 1886 the architect Antoni Gaudí was instructed by his patron, Eusebi Güell, to build an upper-class residence on a plot of land measuring only 18 x 22m/60 x 73ft, on the Carrer Nou de la Rambla, a narrow street in the old town.

Eusebi Güell was a great patron of the arts, and he wished to see this reflected in the palace: in the very center of the building a large domed hall - intended to be used for poetry readings and private concerts - extends from the first floor right up to the roof.

Must-see attractions nearby:
Around it are grouped the living rooms; the ground floor, which opens on to the street through two parabolic portals with artistic wrought-iron grilles bearing the letters E and G, Eusebi Güell's initials, housed the stables. The entire building reflects Güell's enormous wealth, with its sumptuous décor, valuable textiles and individually designed furniture, most of it by Gaudí. Here, perhaps more than in any other building, we see the ostentatious - today perhaps almost comical - imagination of the master builder. Even the roof was not forgotten when it came to art, as the dome and chimney - like those on the Casa Milà - come across as elements of decorative sculpture.
Things to See

Museum of Performing Arts

The Museu d'Art Escènic, from which the present Museu de les Arts de l'Espectacle has developed, was moved to the Palau Güell in 1954. It contains costumes, stage sets, models, theatrical notices and documents, some dealing with the Realistic School of Catalan dramatic art and some with ballet, etc., manuscripts and personal memorabilia relating to important actors and actresses. There are temporary exhibitions drawn from the rich fund of special material owned by the museum.

There is also a specialist Library.
Address
Palau Güell
Carrer Nou de la Rambla 3-5
E-08001 Barcelona
Spain
Hours
April 1 to October 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0010:00Closed
Close20:0020:0020:0020:0020:0020:00
November 1 to March 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0010:00Closed
Close18:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Catalunya Day - Spain (September 11)
Our Lady of Mercy Celebrations - Spain (September 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Transit
Metro: Drassanes, Liceu.
Suggest Correction  Suggest an Attraction
©Copyright 1995-2012 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication in part or whole without prior written consent prohibited by international laws.